Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING OR MODIFYING PROGRAMMABLE
PARAMETER IN POWER DRIVEN WHEELCHAIR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of eight U.S. provisional patent
applications, including Serial No. 60/712,987, filed August 31, 2005 (Attorney
Docket No.
12873.05174), Serial No. 60/727,005, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05220), Serial No. 60/726,983, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05244), Serial No. 60/726,666, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05245), Serial No.. 60/726,981, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05246), Serial No. 60/726,993, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No..
12873.05247), Serial No. 60/727,249, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05248), and Serial No. 60/727,250, filed October 15, 2005 (Attorney
Docket No.
12873.05258). This application is also related to seven co-pending U.S.
utility patent
applications filed the same day as this application, including Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05220 entitled "Mode Programmable Actuator Controller for Power
Positioning Seat
or Leg Support of a Wheelchair," Attorney Docket No. 12873.05245 entitled
"Context-
Sensitive Help for Display Device Associated with Power Driven Wheelchair,"
Attorney
Docket No. 12873.05246 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Programming
Parameters of a
Power Driven Wheelchair for a Plurality of Drive Settings," Attorney Docket
No.
12873.05247 entitled "Adjustable Mount for Controller of Power Driven
Wheelchair,"
Attorney Docket No. 12873.05248 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automated
Positioning of User Support Surfaces in Power Driven Wheelchair," Attorney
Docket No.
12873.05258 entitled "Power Driven Wheektair," and Attorney Docket No.
12873.05391
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Improved Support of Power Driven
Wheelchair."
BACKGROUND
[0002] Power driven wheelchairs generally include right and left drive
wheels driven
by a motor controller via corresponding right and left drive motors. A power
driven
wheelchair may also include actuators, motors, or other devices to control
user support
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surfaces, such as seats, backs, leg rests, foot rests, or head rests. These
various actuators,
motors, and other devices may be controlled via a user interface device. The
user interface
device may include input devices, such as a joystick, pushbuttons and other
types of switches,
potentiometers and other types of control devices, and output devices, such as
a graphic
display, alphanumeric display, or indicators. Input devices for special needs
users, such as a
proportional head control, a sip n' puff system, a fiber optic tray array, a
proximity head
array, or a proximity switch array, may also be provided as a user interface
device or as a
remote input to the user interface device.
[0003] Examples of power driven wheelchairs are provided in a product
brochure
entitled "Invacare Storm. Series TDXT" Power Wheelchairs, including
Formula.'" Powered
Seating," Form No. 03-018, 2004 from Invacare Corporation of Elyria, Ohio.
Additional examples of power driven
wheelchairs are provided in another product brochure entitled "Invacare
Tarsys Series
Powered Seating System," Form No. 00-313, 2002 from Invacare Corporation.
[0004] Currently, a separate remote programmer unit may be used to set or
modify
programmable parameters associated with operation of a given power driven
wheelchair.
Examples of remote programmers and their use in conjunction with a power
driven
wheelchair are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,122 to Wakefield, 11 and U.S.
Pat. No.
6,819,981 to Wakefield, II et al., both assigned to Invacare Corporation.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair
for
setting or modifying a programmable parameter is provided. In one embodiment,
the
apparatus includes: a user interface device associated with a power driven
wheelchair and
adapted to operate in a programming mode and a first storage device in
operative
communication with the user interface device with at least a portion
designated for storage of
a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power
driven
wheelchair. In this embodiment, the user interface device is used to select
the programmable
operating parameter, select a value for the programmable operating parameter,
and save the
selected value for the programmable operating parameter in the portion of the
first storage
device.
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[0006] In another aspect, a method associated with a power driven
wheelchair for
setting or modifying a programmable parameter is provided. In one embodiment,
the method
includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven
wheelchair in a
programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated
with
operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c)
selecting a value
for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and
d) saving the
selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a
storage device
associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device.
[0007] In still another aspect, an apparatus associated with a power
driven wheelchair
for communicating a programmable parameter set is provided. In one embodiment,
the
apparatus includes: a user interface device associated with a power driven
wheelchair and
adapted to operate in a programming mode, a portable storage medium in
operative
communication with the user interface device with at least a portion
designated for storage of
one or more programmable parameter sets associated with operation of the power
driven
wheelchair, and a local storage device in operative communication with the
user interface
device with at least a portion designated forrn storage of one or more
programmable parameter
sets associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair. In this
embodiment, the user
interface device is used to select one or more programmable parameter sets
from the portable
storage medium and save said selected programmable parameter sets to the local
storage
device or vice versa.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a method associated with a power driven
wheelchair for
communicating a programmable parameter set is provided. In one embodiment, the
method
includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven
wheelchair in a
programming mode, b) selecting at least one programmable parameter set
associated with the
power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, and c) communicating
each selected
programmable parameter set from a portable storage medium associated with the
power
driven wheelchair to a local storage device associated with the power driven
wheelchair or
vice versa using the user interface device. In this embodiment, the portable
storage device
includes at least a portion designated for storage of one or more programmable
parameter sets
and the local storage device includes at least a portion designated for
storage of one or more
programmable parameter sets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1 and 2 show exemplary embodiments of power driven
wheelchairs.
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[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a power
driven
wheelchair.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system
controller
for a power driven wheelchair.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
programmer used
in conjunction with related embodiments of power driven wheelchairs.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a local
storage
device associated with a sytem controller.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a portable
storage
medium associated with a system controller or a programmer. =
[0015] FIGS. 8 through 11 are perspective views of exemplary embodiments
of a
system controller for a power driven wheelchair.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
programmer
used in conjunction with related embodiments of power driven wheelchairs.
[0017] FIGS. 13 and 14 are examples of sequences of display screens
associated with
setting or modifying an exemplary programmable parameter within a selected
programmable
parameter set associated with a power driven wheelchair.
[0018] FIG. 15 is an exemplary menu hierarchy for a programming mode
associated
with operation or support of a power driven wheelchair.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a flow chart of an exemplary mode select monitor
process
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a flow chart of an exemplary programming process
associated with
setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of an exemplary menu navigation sub-
process
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0022] FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an exemplary menu item selection
handler sub-
process associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0023] FIG. 20 is a flow chart of an exemplary set/modify parameter
handler sub-
process associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0024] FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an exemplary drive select monitor sub-
process
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0025] FIGS. 22 and 23 are examples of sequences of display screens on an
apparatus
associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating one or more
library parameter
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sets from a portable storage medium to a local storage device associated with
the power
driven wheelchair.
[0026] FIGS. 24 and 25 are examples of sequences of display screens on an
apparatus
associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating one or more
programmable
parameter sets from a local storage device associated with the power driven
wheelchair to a
portable storage medium.
[0027] FIG. 26 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus associated
with a
power driven wheelchair for setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0028] FIG. 27 is an exemplary flow chart of a process associated with a
power
driven wheelchair for setting or modifying a programmable parameter.
[0029] FIG. 28 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus associated
with a
power driven wheelchair for communicating a programmable parameter set.
[0030] FIG. 29 is an exemplary flow chart of a process associated with a
power
driven wheelchair for communicating a programmable parameter set.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The following paragraphs include definitions of exemplary terms
used within
this disclosure. Except where noted otherwise, variants of all terms,
including singular
forms, plural fowls, and other affixed forms, fall within each exemplary term
meaning.
Except where noted otherwise, capitalized and non-capitalized forms of all
terms fall within
each meaning.
[0032] "Circuit," as used herein includes, but is not limited to,
hardware, fiimware,
software or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s). For
example,
based on a desired feature or need, a circuit may include a software
controlled
microprocessor, discrete logic such as an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), or
other programmed logic device. A circuit may also be fully embodied as
software. As used
herein, "circuit" is considered synonymous with "logic."
[0033] "Comprising," "containing," "having," and "including," as used
herein, except
where noted otherwise, are synonymous and open-ended. In other words, usage of
any of
these teiins (or variants thereof) does not exclude one or more additional
elements or method
steps from being added in combination with one or more enumerated elements or
method
steps.
[0034] "Controller," as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any
circuit or
device that coordinates and controls the operation of one or more input or
output devices.
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For example, a controller can include a device having one or more processors,
microprocessors, or central processing units (CPUs) capable of being
programmed to perform
input or output functions.
[0035] "Logic," as used herein includes, but is not limited to, hardware,
firmware,
software or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), or
to cause a
function or action from another component. For example, based on a desired
application or
need, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic
such as an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmed logic
device. Logic may
also be fully embodied as software. As used herein, "logic" is considered
synonymous with
"circuit."
[0036] "Operative communication," as used herein includes, but is not
limited to, a
communicative relationship between devices, logic, or circuits, including
mechanical and
pneumatic relationships. Direct electrical, electromagnetic, and optical
connections and
indirect electrical, electromagnetic, and optical connections are examples of
such
communications. Linkages, gears, chains, push rods, cams, keys, attaching
hardware, and
other components facilitating mechanical connections are also examples of such
communications. Pneumatic devices and interconnecting pneumatic tubing may
also
contribute to operative communications. Two devices are in operative
communication if an
action from one causes an effect in the other, regardless of whether the
action is modified by
some other device. For example, two devices separated by one or more of the
following: i)
amplifiers, ii) filters, iii) transformers, iv) optical isolators, v) digital
or analog buffers, vi)
analog integrators, vii) other electronic circuitry, viii) fiber optic
transceivers, ix) Bluetooth
communications links, x) 802.11 communications links, xi) satellite
communication links,
and xii) other wireless communication links. As another example, an
electromagnetic sensor
is in operative communication with a signal if it receives electromagnetic
radiation from the
signal. As a final example, two devices not directly connected to each other,
but both capable
of interfacing with a third device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), are
in operative
communication.
[0037] "Or," as used herein, except where noted otherwise, is inclusive,
rather than
exclusive. In other words, "or' is used to describe a list of alternative
things in which one
may choose one option or any combination of alternative options. For example,
"A or B"
means "A or B or both" and "A, B, or C" means "A, B, or C, in any
combination." If "or" is
used to indicate an exclusive choice of alternatives or if there is any
limitation on
combinations of alternatives, the list of alternatives specifically indicates
that choices are
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exclusive or that certain combinations are not included. For example, "A or B,
but not both"
is used to indicate use of an exclusive "or'' condition. Similarly, "A, B, or
C, but no
combinations" and "A, B, or C, but not the combination of A, B, and C" are
examples where
certain combination of alternatives are not included in the choices associated
with the list.
[0038] "Processor," as used herein includes, but is not limited to, one
or more of
virtually any number of processor systems or stand-alone processors, such as
microprocessors, microcontrollers, central processing units (CPUs), and
digital signal
processors (DSPs), in any combination. The processor may be associated with
various other
circuits that support operation of the processor, such as random access memory
(RAM), read-
only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), clocks, decoders, memory controllers, or interrupt
controllers,
etc. These support circuits may be internal or external to the processor or
its associated
electronic packaging. The support circuits are in operative communication with
the
processor. The support circuits are not necessarily shown separate from the
processor in
block diagrams or other drawings.
[0039] "Signal," as used herein includes, but is not limited to, one or
more electrical
signals, including analog or digital signals, one or more computer
instructions, a bit or bit
stream, or the like.
[0040] "Software," as used herein includes, but is not limited to, one or
more
computer readable or executable instructions that cause a computer or other
electronic device
to perform functions, actions, or behave in a desired manner. The instructions
may be
embodied in various forms such as routines, algorithms, modules or programs
including
separate applications or code from dynamically linked libraries. Software may
also be
implemented in various foinis such as a stand-alone program, a function call,
a servlet, an
applet, instructions stored in a memory, part of an operating system, or other
types of
executable instructions. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in
the art that the form
of software is dependent on, for example, requirements of a desired
application, the
environment it runs on, or the desires of a designer/programmer or the like.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a power
driven
wheelchair 10 includes a system controller 12. The system controller 12
controls operation
of the power driven wheelchair 10. Other embodiments of power driven
wheelchairs and
other embodiments of system controllers are available in various combinations.
For example,
as shown if FIG. 2, another exemplary embodiment of a power driven wheelchair
20 includes
a system controller 22.
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[0042] With reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a power
driven
wheelchair 30 is depicted in block diagram fashion. As shown, the power driven
wheelchair
30 may include a system controller 32, a drive controller 34, a left drive
motor 36, a right
drive motor 38, and a suitable power source (e.g., battery) (not shown). The
system
controller 32 may include a user interface device and may control the drive
controller 34 in
response to activation of one or more input devices associated with the user
interface device
and in response to software programs for one or more operating or support
modes. The
software programs may use a plurality of programmable parameters arranged in
sets
associated with, for example, different environmental conditions to define
driving response
characteristics. The drive controller 34 may control the left and right drive
motors 36, 38 in
response to commands from the system controller 32. Communication between the
system
controller 32 and drive controller 34 may be via serial or parallel bus
connections or via
discrete signal connections. For example, a Shark serial communication bus,
developed by
Dynamic Controls of New Zealand, may be used to communicate with the drive
controller
34. In another embodiment, the system controller 34 may communicate directly
with a left
drive motor and a right drive motor via a serial communication bus, such as a
controller area
network (CAN) bus, where the left and right drive motors include a serial bus
interface and
local intelligence.
[0043] The power driven wheelchair 30 may also include various options,
such as
powered seating, powered front rigging, and powered steering. In one
embodiment, the
powered seating option may include a tilt actuator 40, a recline actuator 42,
an elevation
actuator 44, a horizontal actuator 46, and a ventilator tray actuator 48. In
one embodiment,
the powered front rigging option may include a common leg rest actuator 50 and
a common
foot rest actuator 52. In another embodiment, the powered front rigging option
may include
independent left and right leg rest actuators and independent left and right
foot rest actuators.
In one embodiment, the powered steering option may include one or more powered
steering
actuators 54. These options may be added to the wheelchair in any combination.
Likewise,
various combinations of actuators may be selected for each option. For
example, a powered
seating option may be limited to tilt and recline actuators 40, 42, tilt and
elevation actuators
40, 44, recline and elevation actuators 40, 46, or tilt, recline, and
elevation actuators 40, 42,
44. If the power driven wheelchair has split left and right leg rests,
individual right and left
leg rest actuators may be provided in lieu of the common leg rest actuator 50.
Back and seat
shear reduction, for example, may be provided by coordinated movement of the
recline and
horizontal actuators 42, 46. The system controller 32 may control the
actuators in response to
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activation of one or more input devices associated with the user interface
device and in
response to software programs for one or more operating or support modes. The
software
programs may use a plurality of programmable parameters, for example, to
define desired
positions for user support surfaces and actuator response characteristics.
Communication
= between the system controller 32 and actuators may be via serial or
parallel bus connections
or via discrete signal connections. For example, in one embodiment, actuators
may include
sensors and local electronics which provides an interface to a CAN bus. It is
understood that
any actuator may include a variable speed reversible motor, a stepper motor, a
linear motor, a
servo motor, or another suitable device associated with position control of an
actuator
mechanism. The actuator mechanism, for example, controlling the position of
user support
surfaces, such as seat, back, leg rest, foot rest, or head rest support
surfaces, via a suitable
linkage, drive train, coupling, or another type of mechanical interface.
[0044] In one embodiment, providing modularization of actuators,
motors, and other
output devices with sensors, detectors, or other devices providing feedback
for closed loop
control of the corresponding output device facilitates the use of a serial or
parallel bus
architecture in the power driven wheelchair 30. This also simplifies the
addition or removal
of optional output devices and streamlines upgrades and retrofits. Moreover,
distributing
intelligence, including interface circuits for output devices and associated
feedback
components, from the centralized controller to the modular output devices
further improves
performance through parallel processing. In additional embodiments,
distributing additional
intelligence, including closed-loop control algorithms, from the centralized
controller to the
modular output devices further improves performance through additional
parallel processing
and reduced bus traffic.
[0045] One or more remote input devices 58 may also be provided as
options in the
power driven wheelchair 30. For example, user interface devices for special
needs users,
such as a proportional head control, a sip n' puff system, a fiber optic tray
array, a proximity
head array, or a proximity switch array, may be provided as a remote input to
the system
controller 32. Additional examples of remote input devices 58 include, a 4-way
toggle switch
assembly, a quad pushbutton assembly, and a compact proportional joystick
assembly. The
4-way toggle switch assembly or the quad pushbutton assembly, for example, may
be used
for controlling powered seating systems. The compact proportional joystick
assembly, for
example, may be used as a proportional attendant control. Communication
between the
system controller 32 and the remote input device(s) 58 may be via serial or
parallel bus
connections or via discrete signal connections. For example, a remote input
device may be
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connected to a serial port on the system controller 32. If the remote input
device includes the
appropriate electronics and local intelligence (e.g., processes for composing
and de-
composing bus messages), communications with the system controller 32 may, for
example,
be via a CAN bus or another type of bus or network connection.
[0046] A programmer 60 may be used in conjunction with the power driven
wheelchair 30. The programmer 60 described herein may be an optional accessory
or special
tool for dealers or technicians. The programmer 60 may be adapted for use on
various
models and configurations of power driven wheelchairs. Communication between
the system
controller 32 and the programmer 60 may be via serial or parallel bus
connections or via
discrete signal connections. For example, the programmer 60 may be connected
to a serial
port on the system controller 32. If the programmer 60 includes the
appropriate electronics
and local intelligence (e.g., processes for composing and de-composing bus
messages),
communications with the system controller 32 may, for example, be via a CAN
bus or
another type of bus or network connection. The various aspects of FIG. 3
described above
may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented through
hardware,
software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 4, a block diagram of an exemplary
embodiment of a
system controller 32 may include a microcontroller 62, one or more input
devices 64, a
display 66, one or more indicators 68, an on-board storage device 70, a
storage medium
interface 72, an output device interface 74, one or more remote input device
interfaces 76,
and a programmer interface 78. The microcontroller 62 may include a central
processing unit
(CPU) 80, an on-chip storage device 82, and an analog-to-digital (AID)
converter 84. The
AJD converter 84 may provide the microcontroller 62 with an interface to
receive analog
input signals. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 62 may include an SAF-
XC164CS 16-
bit single-chip microcontroller by Infineon Technologies of Mtinchen, Germany.
[0048] The display 66, for example, may include a 128 x 64 pixel graphic
display or a
160 x 160 pixel graphic display. In additional embodiments, the display may
include a
graphic display in a different size or a different arrangement of pixels. Any
type of graphic
display may be used, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Additionally, an
alphanumeric
display or another type of display may be used. The one or more indicators 68,
for example,
may include light emitting diodes (LEDs), lamps, other types of visual
indicators, or audible
devices. The one or more input devices 64, for example, may include a
proportional analog
joystick, a three position toggle or rotary switch, a return-to-center
momentary three position
switch, a rotary potentiometer, and a plurality of momentary pushbuttons. In
additional
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embodiments, the one or more input devices 64, may include other types of
joysticks,
switches, potentiometers, pushbuttons, or other types of control devices.
[0049] The output device interface 74 may be connected, for example, to a
motor
controller, actuators, motors, or similar devices associated with the power
driven wheelchair.
The output device interface 74 may include one or more serial ports, one or
more parallel
ports, or discrete wiring connections in any combination. For example, the
output device
interface 74 may include a CAN bus serial port and a Shark bus serial port.
The one or more
remote input device interfaces 76 and programmer interface 78 may each include
a serial
port, parallel port, or discrete wiring connections.
[0050] The microcontroller 62 may receive input signals from the one or
more input
devices 64, remote input devices 58 (FIG. 2) comiected to the one or more
remote input
device interfaces 76, or a programmer 60 (FIG. 2) connected to the programmer
interface 78.
The microcontroller 62 may control the display 66, the one or more indicators
68, and various
motors, actuators, and other output devices connected to the output device
interface 74, at
least in part, in response to the input signals from the one or more input
devices 64, remote
input devices 58 (FIG. 2), or programmer 60 (FIG. 2).
[0051] The on-board storage device 70 and on-chip storage device 82 each
may
include a volatile storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), and a
non-volatile
storage device, such as non-volatile memory, a fixed disk device, a removable
disc device, an
optical storage device, etc. Non-volatile memory, for example, may include
read-only
memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-
only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory
(EEPROM),
or flash memory. For example, software programs, one or more programmable
parameter
sets, and help information may be stored in one or more non-volatile memory
storage devices
associated with the on-board storage device 70 or on-chip storage device 82.
Each
programmable parameter set may include a plurality of programmable operating
parameters
for the power driven wheelchair 20. The microcontroller 62 may run the
software programs
and may control the display 66, indicators 68, and various motors, actuators,
and other output
devices connected to the output device interface 74 based, at least in part,
on one or more of
the programmable operating parameters.
[0052] A portable storage medium 86 may be used in conjunction with the
system
controller 32. The portable storage medium 86 may include a plurality of
storage locations
which may store a security key, one or more library parameter sets, and a
collection of help
information. The portable storage medium 86 described herein may be an
optional accessory
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or special tool for dealers or technicians. In some cases, the portable
storage medium 86 may
also be used in conjunction with normal operation of the power driven
wheelchair by its
owner or end user. The portable storage medium 86 described herein may be
suitable for use
on various models and configurations of power driven wheelchairs. However, in
another
scheme for protection and security of the information stored therein, a given
portable storage
medium 86 may be serialized or otherwise tailored and keyed to an individual
system
controller 32 and corresponding power driven wheelchair. Communication between
the
microcontroller 62 and the portable storage medium 86 may be via the storage
medium
interface 72.
[0053] The portable storage medium 86 may include a non-volatile storage
medium,
such as non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, the portable storage medium 86
may
include, for example, a type of removable storage medium known as a removable
memory
card. For example, the portable storage medium 86 may include a secure digital
(SD) card.
In the embodiment being described, the storage medium interface 72 may
include, for
example, a corresponding removable memory interface (e.g., an SD card reader)
to
communicate and exchange information with the microcontroller 62.
[0054] In additional embodiments, the portable storage medium may include
other
types of removable memory, such as a compact flash (CF) card, a flash memory
pen drive, a
memory stick, a microdrive, a multimedia memory card (MMC), a smart media (SM)
card, an
xD picture card, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory chip (e.g.,
ROM,
PROM, EPROM, EEPROM), or another suitable form of removable, separable, or
detachable
memory. In other additional embodiments, the portable storage medium may
include other
forms of removable storage medium, such as optical discs (e.g., compact discs
(CDs), digital
video discs (DVDs)) or floppy disks (e.g., zip disks).
[0055] In still further embodiments, the portable storage medium may
include a
portable storage device, such as an external memory card reader, an external
optical disc
drive, an external floppy disk drive, a portable computer (e.g., laptops,
notebooks, personal
digital assistants (PDAs)), a mobile telephone (e.g., cellular telephone,
personal
communication system, satellite telephone), a digital camera, an MP3 player,
or any type cif
portable storage device capable of wired or wireless communication with
another compatible
communication device.
[0056] The storage medium interface 72, for example, may include a
connector or
socket that mates with the portable storage medium 86 and an electronic
circuit that supports
communication between the microcontroller 62 and the portable storage medium
86. For
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example, the storage medium interface 72 may include a memory card reader, a
memory chip
socket, an optical disc drive, a floppy disk drive, a serial port (e.g.,
universal serial bus (USB)
port, RS-232), a parallel port (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI)
port), a modem,
an Ethernet port, a wireless Ethernet transceiver (e.g., IEEE 802.11b), a
Bluetooth
transceiver, an infrared (IR) transceiver, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver,
a mobile
telephone interface, a cable television interface, a satellite television
interface, or any
communication device capable of wired or wireless communication with a
corresponding
portable storage medium. The various aspects of FIG. 4 described above may be
automated,
semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented through hardware, software,
firmware,
or combinations thereof.
[0057] With reference to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of a programmer
60 may
include a microcontroller 88, one or more input devices 90, a display 92, one
or more
indicators 94, an on-board storage device 96, a storage medium interface 98,
and a controller
interface 100. The microcontroller 88 may include a CPU 102 and an on-chip
storage device
104. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 88 may include an SAF-XC164CS 16-
bit
single-chip microcontroller by Infineon Technologies of Munchen, Germany.
[0058] The display 92, for example, may include a 160 x 160 pixel graphic
display.
In additional embodiments, the display may include a graphic display in a
different size or a
different arrangement of pixels. Any type of graphic display may be used, such
as an LCD.
Additionally, an alphanumeric display or another type of display may be used.
The one or
more indicators 94, for example, may include LEDs, lamps, other types of
visual indicators,
or audible devices. The one or more input devices 90, for example, may include
a plurality of
momentary pushbuttons. In additional embodiments, the one or more input
devices 90, may
include other types of pushbuttons or other types of control devices.
[0059] The controller interface 100 may include a serial port, parallel
port, or discrete
wiring connections for interfacing with a system controller 32 (FIG. 2) of a
power driven
wheelchair. The microcontroller 88 may receive input signals from the one or
more input
devices 90 and the system controller connected to the controller interface
100. The
microcontroller 88 may latch or store activations of the one or more input
devices 90 or other
input signals over time. The microcontroller 88 may control the display 92 and
the one or
more indicators 94, at least in part, in response to the input signals from
the one or more input
devices or the system controller.
[0060] The microcontroller 88 may periodically (e.g., every 10 ms)
receive a status
check message from the system controller 32 (FIG. 2) via the controller
interface 100. For
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example, if an activation of the one or more input devices 90 has occurred
since the last status
check, the microcontroller 88 may send a response to the status check message
via the
controller interface 100 that may include information regarding the latched or
stored
activations from the one or more input devices 90. Once the response is sent,
certain latched
or stored activations may be cleared. If no activations occurred since the
last status check,
the microcontroller 88 may send a response to the status check message
indicating there is no
new data to send. The microcontroller 88, for example, may also receive
messages from
system controller via the controller interface 100 containing information to
be displayed on
the display 92 or commands regarding control of the display 92.
[0061] The on-board storage device 96 and on-chip storage device 104 each
may
include a volatile storage device, such as RAM, and a non-volatile storage
device, such as
non-volatile memory, a fixed disk device, a removable disc device, an optical
storage device,
etc. Non-volatile memory, for example, may include ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM,
or
flash memory. For example, software programs, a plurality of programmable
parameter sets,
and help information may be stored in one or more non-volatile memory storage
devices
associated with the on-board storage device 96 or on-chip storage device 104.
The
microcontroller 88 may run the software programs and may control the display
92 and
indicators 94 based, at least in part, on one or more of the programmable
operating
parameters.
[0062] A portable storage medium 106 may be used in conjunction with the
programmer 60. Like the portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4) associated with
the system
controller 32 (FIG. 4), the portable storage medium 106 may also be an
optional accessory or
special tool for dealers or technicians. Therefore, the various
characteristics, options, and
alternatives described above for the portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4) and
storage medium
interface 72 (FIG. 4) also apply to the portable storage medium 106 and
storage medium
interface 98 in the programmer 60. The microcontroller 88 is in communication
with the
portable storage medium 106 via the storage medium interface 98. This enables
the
microcontroller 88 to retrieve data from the portable storage medium 106 and
provide it to
the system controller via the controller interface 100 or to save data
received from the system
controller to the portable storage medium 106.
[0063] In one embodiment, the portable storage medium 106 associated with
the
programmer 60 and the portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4) associated with the
system
controller 32 (FIG. 2) may be interchangeable. In other words, the portable
storage medium
106 may be used in conjunction with the system controller and vice versa.
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[0064]
Moreover, this interchangeability may extend to other power driven
wheelchairs. In other words, the portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4) or 106
(FIG. 5)
associated with the power driven wheelchair 10 (FIG. 1) may be used in system
controllers or
programmers associated with other power driven wheelchairs. This facilitates
development
of a master copy of library parameter sets on one or more portable storage
medium that can
be transported to multiple power driven wheelchairs for selective
communication of library
parameter sets from the master copy to corresponding system controllers
associated with each
power driven wheelchair. Additionally, programmable parameter sets can be
selectively
uploaded to the master copy to build or grow the library parameter sets from
individual
power driven wheelchairs.
This is particularly useful after modifying a selected
programmable parameter set on a first power driven wheelchair for a first user
when a second
user with a similar power driven wheelchair and similar physical impairments
is identified.
While a library parameter set and a corresponding programmable parameter set
are equivalent
(i.e., both including the same plurality of programmable operating
parameters), it is
sometimes useful to use the phrase "library parameter set" to refer to the
plurality of
programmable operating parameters on the portable storage medium and to use
the phrase
"programmable parameter set" to refer to them within the system controller.
Nevertheless,
the phrases have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably to refer to
the plurality
of programming operating parameters in any location. The various aspects of
FIG. 5
described above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be
implemented
through hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[0065]
With reference to FIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment of a local storage device
107 associated with a system controller 32 (FIG. 4) may include a plurality of
storage
locations that may store software programs 108 and a plurality of programmable
parameter
sets. The local storage device 107, for example, may include an on-board
storage device 70
(FIG. 4), 96 (FIG. 5) or an on-chip storage device 82 (FIG. 4), 104 (FIG. 5).
In one
embodiment, for example, a first programmable parameter set is identified as
drive 1
parameter set 110, another programmable parameter set is identified as drive 4
parameter set
112, and additional programmable parameter sets are identified as drive N
parameter set 114.
In another embodiment, the local memory device 107 may include four
programmable
parameter sets. However, there may be more or less programmable parameter sets
in
additional embodiments. Each programmable parameter set may include multiple
programmable operating parameters. The programmable parameter sets may also be
viewed
as a plurality of programmable operating parameters that may be arranged in
sets according
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to, for example, different environmental conditions for the power driven
wheelchair (e.g.,
indoor, outdoor, etc.).
[0066] With reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of the portable
storage
medium 115 may include a plurality of storage locations that may store a
security key 116
and a plurality of library parameter sets. The portable storage medium 115 has
the same
characteristics and features of the portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4), 106
(FIG. 5)
described above. In one embodiment, for example, a first library parameter set
is identified
as library 1 parameter set 117, another library parameter set is identified as
library 4
parameter set 118, and additional library parameter sets are identified as
library N parameter
set 119. In another embodiment, the portable storage medium 115 may include
four library
parameter sets. However, there may be more or less library parameter sets in
additional
embodiments. Each library parameter set may include multiple programmable
operating
parameters. The library parameter sets may also be viewed as a plurality of
programmable
operating parameters that may be arranged in sets according to, for example,
different
environmental conditions for the power driven wheelchair (e.g., indoor,
outdoor, etc.). In one
embodiment, the same portable storage medium 115 may be used effectively when
installed
directly in a system controller or when installed in a programmer connected to
the same
system controller.
[0067] With reference to FIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment of a system
controller
120 may include a power/drive select switch 122, a mode select switch 124, a
graphic display
126, a joystick control 128, a speed control 130, and a mounting hub 132. This
configuration
of the system controller 120 may be referred to as a multi-purpose joystick
(MPJ) model.
The MPJ model may also include a removable memory card slot (not shown) for
receiving a
portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4), such as a removable memory card.
[0068] The power/drive select switch 122, for example, may include a
three position
rotary switch. The "on" position, for example, is a center position where the
power driven
wheelchair is powered on. The "drive select" position is a return-to-center
position that
advances through the available drives (i.e., programmable parameter sets). For
example,
when the "drive select" position is activated in programming mode, a next
programmable
parameter set from a group of programmable parameter sets stored in the system
controller 32
is selected in relation to a currently-selected programmable parameter set. In
one
embodiment, the plurality of programmable parameters may include four
programmable
parameter sets. However, there may be more or less programmable parameter sets
in
additional embodiments. The "off' position of the power/drive select switch
122 is, for
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example, a latching position opposite the "drive select" position where the
power driven
wheelchair is powered down.
[0069] The mode select switch 103, for example, is a momentary pushbutton
switch.
When the mode select switch 103 is activated, for example, a next mode from a
plurality of
modes is selected in relation to a currently-selected mode. The plurality of
modes, for
example, may include a driving mode, an automated positioning mode associated
with
powered seating or powered front rigging, a 4-way switch positioning mode
associated with
powered seating or powered front rigging, and an environmental control unit
(ECU) mode.
Other embodiments may include any combination of these modes and additional
modes.
[0070] The graphic display 126, for example, may include a 128 x 64 pixel
display.
A screen on the graphic display 126 may include about five or six lines of
text by about 32
characters, about two large icons (e.g., 64 x 64 pixels icons), about eight
small icons (e.g., 32
x 32 pixel icons), or various combinations thereof. Of course, larger or
smaller icons may
also be used in various combinations.
[0071], The joystick control 128, for example, may include a proportional
analog
joystick. The joystick control 128, for example, may be used for directional
control for menu
or icon navigation, setting or modifying a programmable parameter, saving a
selected
programmable parameter value, directional control for driving the power driven
wheelchair,
positional control of a selected user support surface, and other selection-
type functions when
directional or positional control is not required. The joystick control 128 is
an example of a
screen navigation control. The speed control 130, for example, may include a
rotary
potentiometer. Turning the speed control 130 between counter-clockwise and
clockwise
limits adjusts the maximum speed of the power driven wheelchair in relation to
operation
using the joystick control 128. The mounting hub 132, for example, may be
inserted in a
mating receptacle on the power driven wheelchair to mount the system
controller 32.
[0072] With reference to FIG. 9, another exemplary embodiment of a system
controller 140 may include a mode select switch 124, a graphic display 126, a
joystick
control 128, a speed control 130, a mounting hub 132, a power/drive select
switch 142, and a
removable memory card slot 144. This system controller 140 may be referred to
as a
personalized switch rear-mount (PSR) joystick model or simply a PSR model.
Generally, the
components of the PSR model have the same functional characteristics as the
components
described above for the MPJ model (FIG. 8). The PSR model provides an
alternate
construction of a system controller.
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[0073] With reference to FIG. 10, still another exemplary embodiment of a
system
controller 150 may include a mode select switch 124, a graphic display 126, a
joystick
control 128, a speed control 130, and a power/drive select switch 142. This
system controller
150 may be referred to as a personalized switch front-mount (PSF) joystick
model or simply
a PSF model. A mounting hub (not shown) may also be provided on the PSF model
for
mounting the system controller 150. The PSF model may also include a removable
memory
card slot (not shown) for receiving a portable storage medium 86 (FIG. 4),
such as a
removable memory card. Generally, the components of the PSF model have the
same
functional characteristics as the components described above for the MPJ model
(FIG. 8).
The PSF model provides an alternate construction of a system controller.
[0074] With reference to FIG. 11, yet another exemplary embodiment of a
system
controller 160 may include a removable memory card slot 144, an info switch
162, a power
switch 164, a graphic display 166, an up direction switch 168, a down
direction switch 170, a
menu/left direction switch 172, a right direction switch 174, a select switch
176, and a save
switch 178. This system controller 160 may be referred to as a DISPLAY model.
The
DISPLAY model may also include a mounting hub (not shown) for mounting the
system
controller 160. Generally, the removable memory card slot 144 has the same
functional
characteristics as described above for the MPJ model (FIG. 8).
[0075] The info switch 162, for example, may include a momentary
pushbutton
switch. Activation of the info switch 162 may cause the controller 160 to
access and display
help information. Certain information from help information file(s) may be
provided on the
graphic display 166. The help information provided may be related to the
content of the
display at or about the time the info switch 162 was activated. For example,
information
retrieved from help information file(s) may be context-sensitive with respect
to an active
screen object, such as a current menu or icon selection, a current
programmable parameter
selection, a current drive selection, a current mode selection, or a current
error message. This
provides information about a specific item as it is currently being used. The
context-sensitive
help information may: i) explain current selections for operation or support
of the power
driven wheelchair, ii) current settings for programmable parameters, iii)
current selection(s)
with respect to screen objects (i.e., active screen object(s)) of the display,
and iv) describe an
expected result from activation of the selected option. In additional
embodiments, retrieval
of specific information from the help information file(s) may be menu-driven,
topic-driven,
or driven by another suitable means.
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[0076] The power switch 164, for example, may include a two position
toggle switch
with on and off positions. When the power switch 164 is set to the "on"
position the power
driven wheelchair is powered on. When the power switch 164 is switched from
the "on"
position to the "off' position, for example, the power driven wheelchair may
begin a
predeteitained shutdown sequence. The graphic display 166, for example, is a
160 x 160
pixel display. A screen on the graphic display 166 may include about twelve
lines of text by
about 40 characters, about four large icons (e.g., 64 x 64 pixels icons),
about 25 small icons
(e.g., 32 x 32 pixel icons), or various combinations thereof. Of course,
larger or smaller icons
may also be used in various combinations.
[0077] The up, down, menu/left, and right direction switches 168, 170,
172, 174, for
example, may include momentary pushbutton switches. The up, down, menu/left,
and right
direction switches 168, 170, 172, 174 may be used for directional control for
menu or icon
navigation, setting or modifying a programmable parameter, positional control
of a selected
user support surface, and other selection-type functions when directional or
positional control
is not required. For certain display screens, activation of the menu/left
direction switch 172
may cause the controller 160 to present the previous menu on the graphic
display 166. The
up, down, menu/left, and right direction switches 168, 170, 172, 174, in any
combination, are
examples of a screen navigation control. In another embodiment, the up, down,
menu/left,
and right direction switches 168, 170, 172, 174, for example, may also be used
for directional
control for certain power driven wheelchair driving operations.
[0078] The select switch 176, for example, may include a momentary
pushbutton
switch. The select switch 176 may be used for selection of menu items or
icons. The save
switch 178, for example, may include a momentary pushbutton switch. The save
switch 178
may be used for saving a displayed value of a selected programmable parameter
as the
current value for the parameter. The mode select, drive select, and speed
control functions
described above for the MPJ model (FIG. 7), for example, may be implemented
through the
graphic display 166, navigational control using the up, down, menu/left, and
right direction
switches 168, 170, 172, 174, and activation of the select or save switches
176, 178.
[0079] With reference to FIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment of a programmer
180
may include a removable memory card slot 144, a graphic display 166, an up
direction switch
168, a down direction switch 170, a menu/left direction switch 172, a right
direction switch
174, a select switch 176, a save switch 178, and a power/info switch 182.
Generally, the
components of the programmer 180 have the same functional characteristics as
the
components described above for the DISPLAY model of the system controller 160
(FIG. 11).
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However, the programmer 180 may combine the power and info functions in the
power/info
switch 182. Notably, the programmer 180 may not require the speed control
functionality of
the DISPLAY model. The programmer 180 may also not require other functionality
of the
DISPLAY model in relation to driving the power driven wheelchair or
positioning the user
support surfaces.
[0080] The power/info switch 182, for example, may include a momentary
switch.
Pressing and holding the power/info switch 182 for at least a predetermined
time (e.g., three
seconds) may provide control of toggling power on and power off functions. For
example, if
the programmer 180 is powered off, pressing and holding the power/info switch
182 for at
least the predetermined time may cause the programmer 180 to be powered on.
Similarly, if
the programmer 180 is powered on, pressing and holding the power/info switch
182 for at
least the predetermined time may cause the programmer 180 to begin a
predetermined
shutdown sequence. The info function may be provided by pressing and releasing
the
power/info switch 182 within a predetermined time (e.g., two seconds). The
characteristics
of the info function of the power/info switch 182 are otherwise the same as
those described
above for the info switch 162 of the DISPLAY model of the system controller
160 (FIG. 11).
[0081] With reference to FIG. 13, an exemplary sequence 200 of display
screens on a
system controller or programmer associated with setting or modifying an
exemplary
programmable parameter within a selected programmable parameter set associated
with a
power driven wheelchair begins at a first screen 202. The first screen 202
depicts an
exemplary main menu for a programming mode of the power driven wheelchair. As
shown
in 202, a currently selected programmable parameter set is named DRIVE 1.
DRIVE 1 is
also labeled OUTDOOR which infers that its programmable parameters are set to
values
suitable for driving the power driven wheelchair in an outdoor environment. A
SPEED
programmable parameter in DRIVE 1 is currently set to 90%. Bold highlighting
indicates
that the SPEED programmable parameter is currently selected. In other
embodiments, use of
a pointer or any other suitable form of highlighting may be used to indicate
the current or
active selection in this menu and subsequent menus or other types of screens.
With the
SPEED programmable parameter selected, a "select" activation advances the
sequence 200 to
the second screen 204. The "select" activation, for example, may be performed
by moving a
joystick control to the right or by activating a select switch.
[0082] The second screen 204 depicts an exemplary set/modify screen for
the SPEED
programmable parameter. As shown in 204, the current value of the SPEED
programmable
parameter for drive 1 (i.e., D1) is 90%. A progress bar may provide a
graphical
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representation of the current 90% value. The MORE and LESS objects indicate
that the
programmable parameter is a "range" parameter and that the value of the
parameter may be
selected by activation of, for example, a joystick control or up or down
direction switches.
For example, moving a joystick control on a system controller forward may be a
MORE
activation and moving it back may be a LESS activation. Similarly, pressing an
up direction
switch on a system controller or programmer may be a MORE activation and
pressing a
down direction switch may be a LESS activation. As shown by the bold
highlighting, the
MORE object may have been the last control activation. In other embodiments,
use of a
pointer or any other suitable form of highlighting may be used to indicate the
last control
activation. However, if the LESS object was the last control activation, the
LESS object may
be highlighted in bold. For example, after one or more LESS activations, the
third screen 206
may be displayed.
[0083] '
The third screen 206 shows that the current value for the SPEED
programmable parameter is now 80%. For example, if the SPEED programmable
parameter
is adjusted in five percent intervals, this change from 90% to 80% is based on
two LESS
activations. Alternatively, if the resolution for adjusting the programmable
parameter is two
percent, five LESS activations would produce the ten percent adjustment shown
in the third
screen 206. The interval or resolution for adjustment of a given programmable
parameter can
be any suitable value and can be linear or non-linear. In one embodiment,
neither the LESS
nor the MORE objects are initially highlighted by default. However, the LESS
object is
highlighted, for example, in bold and the MORE object is returned to normal
text following a
LESS activation. Similarly, for a MORE activation, the MORE object is
highlighted, for
example, in bold and the LESS object is returned to normal text. At 206,
activation of a save
switch saves the displayed value (i.e., 80%) for the SPEED programmable
parameter in a
corresponding storage location associated with the selected programmable
parameter set
(e.g., D1).
[0084]
Activation of the save switch may also automatically advance the sequence
200 to the fourth screen 208 which is the main menu for the programming mode.
In another
embodiment, a previous menu activation may be required to reverse the sequence
200 until
the main menu is again displayed as shown in the fourth screen 208. For
example, moving a
joystick control on a system controller to the left may be interpreted as a
previous menu
activation. Similarly, pressing a left direction switch on a system controller
or programmer
may be interpreted as a previous menu activation. The fourth screen 208
depicts the
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exemplary main menu of the programming mode with the current value of the
SPEED
programmable parameter for DRIVE 1 now set to 80%.
[0085] With reference to FIG. 14, another exemplary sequence 210 of
display screens
on a system controller or programmer associated with setting or modifying
another
exemplary programmable parameter within a selected programmable parameter set
associated
with a power driven wheelchair begins at a first screen 212. The first screen
212 depicts an
exemplary main menu for a programming mode of the power driven wheelchair. As
shown
in 212, a currently selected programmable parameter set is named DRIVE 1.
DRIVE 1 is
also labeled OUTDOOR which infers that its programmable parameters are set to
values
suitable for driving the power driven wheelchair in an outdoor environment.
Bold
highlighting indicates that the ADVANCED MENU is currently selected. This may
be the
default selection when the main menu is initially displayed or it may be the
result of one or
more down or up activations using a joystick control or an up or down
direction switch. In
other embodiments, use of a pointer or any other suitable form of highlighting
may be used to
indicate the current or active selection in this menu and subsequent menus or
other types of
screens. With the ADVANCED MENU selected, a "select" activation advances the
sequence
210 to the second screen 214. The "select" activation, for example, may be
performed by
moving the joystick control to the right or by activating a select switch.
[0086] The second screen 214 depicts an exemplary ADVANCED MENU. The
ADVANCED MENU, for example, may include five or more menu items in a list. An
individual menu item may be selected by navigating up or down the list of menu
items. The
display, however, may not be able to display all of the menu items together.
As shown in
214, the first four items are initially displayed on the screen and bold
highlighting indicates
that the first menu item, PERFORMANCE ADJUST, is currently selected. In order
to select
the last menu item, five down activations may be required. With the fourth
down activation,
the screen may begin to scroll down the list of menu items. After the last
menu item selected,
for example, the display may continue to scroll to the beginning of the list
with additional
down activations. Conversely, if the last menu item is selected, additional
down activations
may have no effect and up activations may be required to move up the menu
list. Of course,
up or down activations using the joystick control or up and down direction
switches may be
used to navigate the list of menu items. For the second screen 214,
PERFORMANCE
ADJUST is selected and a "select" activation advances the sequence 210 to the
third screen
215.
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[0087] The third screen 215 depicts an exemplary DRIVE SELECT list. The
DRIVE
SELECT list identifies multiple programmable parameter sets for selection of a
specific set
for which programmable parameters are to be set or modified. As shown in 215,
there may
be four programmable parameter sets and a currently selected programmable
parameter set
(i.e., DRIVE 1) may be initially selected by default and highlighted in bold.
Up or down
activations using the joystick control or up and down direction switches may
be used to
navigate the list of menu items. For the third screen 215, a "select"
activation selects the
programmable parameter set associated with the highlighted menu item and
advances the
sequence 210 to the fourth screen 216.
[0088] The fourth screen 216 depicts an exemplary PARAMETER SELECT list
of
programmable parameters. The PARAMETER SELECT list, for example, may include a
plurality of programmable parameters for DRIVE 1 which may be individually
selected by
navigating up or down the list. For example, after eleven down activations,
the display has
scrolled down the list to an INPUT TYPE programmable parameter associated with
DRIVE 1
and the fifth screen 218 is displayed. At this point, the INPUT TYPE
programmable
parameter is selected and a "select" activation advances the sequence 210 to
the sixth screen
220.
[0089] The sixth screen 220 depicts an exemplary set/modify screen for
the INPUT
TYPE programmable parameter. As shown in 220, the current value of the INPUT
TYPE
programmable parameter for DRIVE 1 is MPJ. For example, MPJ may represent an
MPJ
model system controller. The list of four options (e.g., MPJ, PSR, PSF, and
DISP) indicates
that programmable parameter is a "choice" parameter and that the value of the
parameter may
be selected by navigating up or down the list. For example, two down
activations moves the
pointer down to the PSF option and a "select" activation advances the sequence
210 to the
seventh screen 222. For example, PSF may represent a PSF model system
controller.
[0090] The seventh screen 222 shows that the current value for the INPUT
TYPE
programmable parameter is now PSF. With the current value and the selected
option both
PSF, for example, a "save" activation saves the current value of the INPUT
TYPE
programmable parameter for DRIVE 1 in a corresponding storage location. With
the current
value and the selected option both PSF, for example, activation of the save
switch may also
automatically advance to the eighth screen 224. In another embodiment, one or
more
previous menu activation may be required to reach the eighth screen 224. Under
the
exemplary circumstances described herein, the select switch and the save
switch can be a
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common multi-function switch, such as moving a joystick control to the right.
However, in
another embodiment, the select and save switches may be separate switches.
[0091] The eighth screen 224 depicts the exemplary PARAMETER SELECT list
of
programmable parameters as displayed in the fourth screen 216. However, at
this point, if
one were to scroll down to the INPUT TYPE programmable parameter, the current
value
would be PSF. From 224, a previous menu activation, for example, may result in
display of
the ADVANCE MENU screen 214 again. Likewise, another previous menu activation,
for
example, may result in display of the main menu again, as shown in the first
screen 212.
[0092] With reference to FIG. 15, an exemplary programming mode menu
hierarchy
264 for setting or modifying a programmable parameter associated with
operation of a power
driven wheelchair begins with a main menu 266. A similar embodiment of the
main menu
266 is also depicted in FIG. 13 and described above in more detail. An
advanced menu 268
may be selected from the main menu 266. A similar embodiment of the advanced
menu 268
is described above in more detail with reference to FIG. 14. Performance
adjust 270 may be
selected after from the advanced menu 268. A similar embodiment of the
performance adjust
270 is described above in more detail with reference to FIG. 14.
[0093] A standard programs menu 272 may be selected from the advanced
menu 268.
An SD card menu 274 may also be selected from the advanced menu 254.
Additional menus
or items, such as a drive pgnn (program) item 276, a store (drive program) to
SD card item
278, a read (drive program) from SD card item 280, a system item 282, a store
(system) to
SD card item 284, and a read (system) from SD card item 286 may be selected
within the
hierarchy of the SD card menu 274. In other embodiments, the SD card menu 274
may be
referred to as a removable memory card menu or a portable storage medium menu.
Additional menus or lists, such as a diagnostics menu 288, a powered seating
menu 290, and
a calibrations menu 292 may also be selected from the advanced menu 268.
[0094] With reference to FIG. 16, an exemplary mode select monitor
process 300
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter begins at 302
where the
process starts. At 304, the process may detect activation of a mode select
switch (e.g., 124
(FIG. 8)). In another embodiment, the process may periodically check the
condition of the
mode select switch. If the mode select switch was activated, system programs
that are
running for a current mode, such as a driving mode, may be suspended or ended
so that a
system mode can be selected (306). After a mode is selected, suspended system
programs
that are compatible with the selected mode may be continued while those that
are not
compatible may be ended. If the programming mode is selected in 308, the
programming
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process (see FIG. 17) may be started in 310. If the programming process was
suspended in
306, it may be continued in 310. Next, at 312, the mode select monitor process
is repeated.
The various aspects of FIG. 16 described above may be automated, semi-
automated, or
manual and may be implemented through hardware, software, firmware, or
combinations
thereof.
[0095] With reference to FIG. 17, an exemplary programming process 320
associated
with setting or modifying a programmable parameter begins at 322 where the
process starts.
At 324, programming process settings may be initialized and a main menu may be
displayed
on a graphic display (e.g., 124 (FIG. 8)). A security check may be performed
prior to
advancing from the main menu to prevent unauthorized setting or modifying of
programmable parameters (326). This security check is optional and not
required,
particularly in regard to the programming functions. It is described here
because in certain
applications users, attendants, and technicians may have different privileges
with regard to
operation and support of the power driven wheelchair. A security check
facilitates limiting
access to one or more features provided in the power driven wheelchair. For
example, a
security check may be used to limit access to programming function to
technicians.
[0096] In one embodiment, the security check, for example, may include a
hardware
or software key associated with insertion of an appropriate portable storage
medium (e.g., 86
(FIG. 4)), such as a removable memory card, in a storage medium interface
(e.g., 72 (FIG.
4)), such as removable memory card slot (e.g., 144 (FIG. 9)). In another
embodiment, the
security check, for example, may include a hardware or software key associated
with
connection of the programmer (e.g., 60 (FIG. 3)) to the system controller
(e.g., 32 (FIG. 3)).
If the programmer is being used, the security check may include a key status
signal
transmitted by the programmer to the system controller.
[0097] If the security check at 328 passes, the programming process may
return to
326 to repeat the security check and also may advance to 330 to start or
continue a menu
navigation sub-process (see FIG. 18) and to start or continue a drive select
monitor sub-
process (see FIG. 21). At 330, other programming sub-processes may also be
started or
continued. The security check, for example, may be repeated about every ten
milliseconds
while the programming process is running. In additional embodiments, the
security check
may be repeated at a different periodic interval. Moreover, the interval
between successive
security checks may be aperiodic, rather than periodic. Since 326-330 are
repeated, after the
initial successful pass through the security check the menu navigation sub-
process, drive
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select monitor sub-process, and any other programming sub-process may be
continued in 330
after additional successful passes through the security check.
[0098] If the security check does not pass at 328, the programming
process may
advance to 332 to determine if a predetermined timeout period has expired. If
the timeout
period is not expired, the process may return to 328 to determine if the
security check passed.
If the timeout period is expired at 332, a security error message may be
displayed (334) and
the programming process may be ended (336). The various aspects of FIG. 17
described
above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented
through
hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[0099] With reference to FIG. 18, an exemplary menu navigation sub-
process 340
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter begins at 342
where the sub-
process starts. At 344, the process may detect an up activation. If an up
activation is not
detected, the process does not advance beyond 344. For example, moving a
joystick control
(e.g., 128 (FIG. 8)) forward or pressing an up direction switch (e.g., 168
(FIG. 11)) may
provide an up activation. If an up activation is detected, the menu item above
the current
menu item may be selected and highlighted to indicate the newly selected menu
item (346).
The previously highlighted menu item may be returned to normal text. Next, at
348, the
menu navigation sub-process may be repeated.
[00100] At 350, the process may detect a previous menu activation. If a
previous
menu activation is not detected, the process does not advance beyond 350. For
example,
moving a joystick control (e.g., 128 (FIG. 8)) to the left or pressing a
menu/left direction
switch (e.g., 172 (FIG. 11)) may provide an previous menu activation. If a
previous menu
activation is detected, the previous menu in a menu hierarchy (e.g., 264 (FIG.
15)) may be
displayed (352), unless, for example, the current menu is the main menu. Next,
at 348, the
menu navigation sub-process may be repeated with respect to the previous menu.
[00101] At 354, the process detects a down activation. If a down
activation is not
detected, the process does not advance beyond 354. For example, moving a
joystick control
(e.g., 128 (FIG. 8)) backward or pressing a down direction switch (e.g., 174
(FIG. 11)) may
provide a down activation. If a down activation is detected, the menu item
below the current
menu item may be selected and highlighted to indicate the newly selected menu
item (356).
The previously highlighted menu item may be returned to normal text. Next, at
348, the
menu navigation sub-process may be repeated.
[00102] At 358, the process detects a select activation. If a select
activation is not
detected, the process does not advance beyond 358. For example, moving a
joystick control
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(e.g., 128 (FIG. 8)) to the right or pressing a select switch (e.g., 174 (FIG.
11)) may provide a
select activation. If a select activation is detected, the menu navigation sub-
process may be
ended and a menu item selection handler sub-process (see FIG. 19) may be
started.
[00103] In another embodiment, the menu navigation sub-process 340 may
periodically check the condition of the corresponding components associated
with an up
activation, previous menu activation, down activation, and select activation
in a loop to
determine if corresponding activations occur. The various aspects of FIG. 18
described
above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented
through
hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[00104] With reference to FIG. 19, an exemplary menu item selection
handler sub-
process 370 associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter
begins at 372
where the sub-process starts. At 374, if the current menu item selection is a
programmable
parameter, the sub-process may advance to 376 to determine whether the
programmable
parameter is a "range" parameter or a "choice" parameter. A "range" parameter
is a
programmable parameter that may be set or modified to a value within a
predetermined range
of values (e.g., 204 (FIG. 13)). A "choice" parameter is a programmable
parameter that may
be set to any value within a list of value choices (e.g., 220 (FIG. 14)). If
the selected
programmable parameter is a "range" parameter, a set/modify "range" parameter
screen may
be retrieved (378). Next, a current value for the selected programmable
parameter associated
with a currently selected drive may be retrieved (380). The currently selected
drive may be
based on, for example, a default drive selection or activations of the
power/drive select switch
(e.g., 122 (FIG. 8)). The currently selected drive may also be based on drive
selection using a
drive select screen (e.g., 215 (FIG. 14)) and corresponding menu navigation
(see FIG. 18) to
select the drive. The currently selected drive corresponds to a programmable
parameter set
from a plurality of programmable parameters. At 382, the set/modify parameter
screen with
the current value for the selected programmable parameter and selected drive
may be
displayed on a graphic display (e.g., 126 (FIG. 8)). Next, the menu item
selection handler
sub-process may be ended and the set/modify parameter handler sub-process (see
FIG. 20)
may be started.
[00105] At 376, if the selected programmable parameter is a "choice"
parameter, a
set/modify choice parameter screen may be retrieved (386). Then, values for
each item in the
list of choices for the selected programmable parameter may be retrieved
(388). Next, a
current value for the selected programmable parameter associated with a
currently selected
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drive may be retrieved (390). At this point, the process advances to 382 and
continues as
described above.
[00106] At 374, if the current menu item selection is not a programmable
parameter, a
new (i.e., lower level) menu was selected and the sub-process may advance to
392 to identify
the new menu. Next, the new menu may be retrieved (394). At 396, the new menu
may be
displayed. Next, the menu item selection handler sub-process may be ended and
the menu
navigation sub-process (see FIG. 18) may be started. The various aspects of
FIG. 19
described above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be
implemented
through hardware, software, finnware, or combinations thereof.
[00107] With reference to FIG. 20, an exemplary set/modify parameter
handler sub-
process 400 associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter
begins at 402
where the sub-process starts. At 404, the process may detect an up activation.
If an up
activation is not detected, the process does not advance beyond 404. If an up
activation is
detected, the parameter value choice above the current parameter value choice
may be
selected and highlighted to indicate the newly selected parameter value from a
list of
parameter value choices (i.e., when the selected programmable parameter is a
"choice"
parameter) (406). Alternatively, when the selected programmable parameter is a
"range"
parameter, if an up activation is detected, the selected parameter value may
be increased to
the next predetermined higher value within the range of values for the
corresponding
programmable parameter (406). For the "range" parameter adjustment, a MORE
screen
object may be highlighted to indicate the last adjustment made to the selected
programmable
parameter was based on an up activation. Next, at 408, the set/modify
parameter handler sub-
process may be repeated.
[00108] At 410, the process may detect a save activation. If a save
activation is not
detected, the process does not advance beyond 410. For example, moving a
joystick control
(e.g., 128 (FIG. 8)) to the right or pressing a save switch (e.g., 178 (FIG.
11)) may provide a
save activation. If a save activation is detected, the new parameter value may
be stored as the
current parameter value for the selected programmable parameter of the
currently selected
drive (412). At 414, the set/modify parameter display may be updated with the
new current
parameter value for the selected programmable parameter of the currently
selected drive.
Next, at 408, the set/modify parameter handler sub-process may be repeated.
[00109] At 416, the process may detect a down activation. If a down
activation is not
detected, the process does not advance beyond 416. If an down activation is
detected, the
parameter value choice below the current parameter value choice may be
selected and
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highlighted to indicate the newly selected parameter value from the list of
parameter value
choices (i.e., when the selected programmable parameter is a "choice"
parameter) (406).
Alternatively, when the selected programmable parameter is a "range"
parameter, if a down
activation is detected, the selected parameter value may be decreased to the
next
predetermined lower value within the range of values for the corresponding
programmable
parameter (406). For the "range" parameter adjustment, a LESS screen object
may be
highlighted to indicate the last adjustment made to the selected programmable
parameter was
based on a down activation. Next, at 408, the set/modify parameter handler sub-
process may
be repeated.
[00110] At 420, the process detects a previous menu activation. If a
previous menu
activation is not detected, the process does not advance beyond 420. If a
previous menu
activation is detected, the previous menu in a menu hierarchy (e.g., 264 (FIG.
15)) may be
displayed (422), unless, for example, the current menu is the main menu. Next,
at 424, the
set/modify parameter handler sub-process may be ended and a menu navigation
sub-process
(see FIG. 18) may be started.
[00111] In another embodiment, set/modify parameter handler sub-process
400 may
periodically check the condition of the corresponding components associated
with an up
activation, save activation, down activation, and previous menu activation in
a loop to
determine if corresponding activations occur. The various aspects of FIG. 20
described
above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented
through
hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[00112] With reference to FIG. 21, an exemplary drive select monitor sub-
process 430
associated with setting or modifying a programmable parameter begins at 432
where the sub-
process starts. At 434, the sub-process may detect a drive select activation
of a power/drive
select switch (e.g., FIG. 8, 122). In another embodiment, the process may
periodically check
the condition of the drive select position of the power/drive select switch.
If there is a drive
select activation, the sub-process may determine if the set/modify parameter
handler sub-
process is running (436). If the set/modify parameter handler sub-process is
not running, the
next drive after the currently selected drive in a predetermined list of
drives may become the
current drive (438). The list of drives corresponds to a list of programmable
parameter sets.
Generally, the list of drives may be advanced through in a continuous loop so
that the
selected drive advances incrementally from the first drive to the last drive
with the first drive
following the last drive. At 440, the selected drive identified on the display
may be updated
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to reflect the newly selected drive and the sub-process returns to 434.
Notably, the drive
select monitor sub-process may be repeated until the programming process ends.
[00113] At 436, if the set/modify parameter handler sub-process is running,
the next
drive after the currently selected drive may become the current drive (442).
Next, a current
value for the selected programmable parameter associated with the new current
drive may be
retrieved (444). At 446, the selected drive identified on the display is
updated to reflect the
newly selected drive, the current value of the selected programmable parameter
on the
display may be updated to reflect the current value associated with the newly
selected drive,
and the sub-process returns to 434. The various aspects of FIG. 21 described
above may be
automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented through hardware,
software,
firmware, or combinations thereof.
[00114] With reference to FIG. 22, an exemplary sequence of display screens
500 on
an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating a
library
parameter set from a portable storage medium to a local storage device
associated with the
power driven wheelchair begins at a first screen 502. The library parameter
set may also be
referred to as a programmable parameter set. However, to simplify the
description when the
parameter set is located on the portable storage medium it may be referred to
as a library
parameter set and when the parameter set is on the local storage device
associated with the
power driven wheelchair it may be referred to as a programmable parameter set.
Thus, the
library parameter set may be read from the portable storage medium and saved
to the local
storage device in storage locations for a programmable parameter set.
[00115] The display screens 500 may be presented on a display 66 (FIG. 4)
of a system
controller 32 (FIG. 4) or on a display 92 (FIG. 5) of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5)
connected to
the system controller. The first screen 502 depicts an exemplary main menu for
a
programming mode of the power driven wheelchair. As shown in 502, a currently
selected
programmable parameter set may be identified as DRIVE 1 and may be named
OUTDOOR.
The main menu may include three menu items and bold highlighting may indicate
that the
third menu item, ADVANCED MENU, is currently selected. In other embodiments,
use of a
pointer or any other suitable form of highlighting may be used to indicate the
current or
active selection in this menu and subsequent menus or other types of screens.
With the
ADVANCED MENU selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 500 to
the
second screen 504. A "select" activation, for example, may be provided by
moving a joystick
control 128 (FIG. 8) to the right or by pressing a select switch 176 (FIG.
12).
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[00116] The second screen 504 depicts an exemplary ADVANCED MENU. As
shown in 504, the ADVANCED MENU may include four menu items and bold
highlighting
may indicate that the third menu item, MEMORY CARD, is currently selected.
With the
MEMORY CARD selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 500 to
the third
screen 506.
[00117] The third screen 506 depicts an exemplary MEMORY CARD menu. As
shown in 506, the MEMORY CARD menu may include three menu items and bold
highlighting may indicate that the first menu item, DRIVE PROGRAM, is
currently selected.
With the DRIVE PROGRAM selected, a "select" activation may advance the
sequence 500
to the fourth screen 508.
[00118] The fourth screen 508 depicts an exemplary DRIVE PROGRAM menu. As
shown in 508, the DRIVE PROGRAM menu may include two menu items and bold
highlighting may indicate that the second menu item, READ FROM MEMORY CARD, is
currently selected. With READ FROM MEMORY CARD selected, a "select" activation
may ad-Vance the sequence 500 to the fifth screen 510.
[00119] The fifth screen 510 depicts a SELECT DESTINATION menu. As shown
in
510, the SELECT DESTINATION menu may include four menu items and bold
highlighting
may indicate that the first menu item, DRIVE 1, is currently selected. With
DRIVE 1
selected, a "select" activation may select a storage area designated for a
programmable
parameter set named DRIVE 1 as the destination location for a library
parameter set from the
portable storage medium. Additionally, the "select" activation may advance the
sequence
500 to the sixth screen 512.
[00120] The sixth screen 512 depicts an exemplary READ FROM MEMORY CARD
screen. As shown in 512, the READ FROM MEMORY CARD screen may include three
menu items and bold highlighting may indicate that the third menu item, START,
is currently
selected. The first and second menu items may include fields that are used to
identify a
desired library parameter set to be read. For example, a GROUP menu item may
include a
[FOLDER NAME] field that may identify a folder on the portable storage medium
within
which the desired library parameter set is stored. Additionally, a NAME menu
item may
include a [LIBRARY NAME] field that may identify a physical or logical name
(e.g., library
1 parameter set) associated with the desired library parameter set. The
[FOLDER NAME]
and [LIBRARY NAME] fields, for example, may be filled by browsing a pull-down
list
using a navigation control and selecting a desired item. Alternatively, any
suitable technique
for filling the [FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME] fields may be implemented.
Once
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the [FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME] fields are filled, with START selected, a
"select" activation will initiate reading the selected library parameter set
from the portable
storage medium at storage locations associated with the [FOLDER NAME] and
[LIBRARY
NAME] and saving it to the local storage device as a programmable parameter
set at storage
locations associated with the selected destination (i.e., DRIVE 1).
[00121] With reference to FIG. 23, an exemplary sequence of display
screens 520 on
an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating a
group of library
parameter sets from a portable storage medium to a local storage device
associated with the
power driven wheelchair begins with the first two screens (502, 504) of FIG.
22. The third
screen 522 depicts an exemplary MEMORY CARD menu. As shown in 522, bold
highlighting may indicate that the second menu item, SYSTEM, is currently
selected. With
SYSTEM selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 520 to the
fourth screen
524.
[00122] The fourth screen 524 depicts an exemplary SYSTEM menu. As shown
in
524, the SYSTEM menu may include two menu items and bold highlighting may
indicate
that the second menu item, READ FROM MEMORY CARD, is currently selected. With
READ FROM MEMORY CARD selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence
520 to the fifth screen 526.
[00123] The fifth screen 526 depicts an exemplary READ FROM MEMORY CARD
screen. As shown in 526, the READ FROM MEMORY CARD screen may include two
menu items and bold highlighting may indicate that the second menu item,
START, is
currently selected. The first menu item may include a field that is used to
identify a desired
group of library parameter sets to be read. For example, a GROUP menu item may
include a
[FOLDER NAME] field that may identify a folder on the portable storage medium
within
which the desired group of library parameter sets is stored. The [FOLDER NAME]
field, for
example, may be filled by browsing a pull-down list using a navigation control
and selecting
a desired item. Alternatively, any suitable technique for filling the [FOLDER
NAME] field
may be implemented. Once the [FOLDER NAME] field is filled, with START
selected, a
"select" activation will initiate reading the selected group of library
parameter sets from the
portable storage medium at storage locations associated with the [FOLDER NAME]
and
saving the group to the local storage device as programmable parameter sets at
storage
locations designated for the programmable parameter sets.
[00124] With reference to FIG. 24, an exemplary sequence of display
screens 530 on
an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating a
programmable
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parameter set from a local storage device associated with the power driven
wheelchair to a
portable storage medium begins with the first three screens (502, 504, 506) of
FIG. 22. The
fourth screen 532 depicts an exemplary DRIVE PROGRAM menu. As shown in 532,
the
DRIVE PROGRAM menu may include two menu items and bold highlighting may
indicate
that the first menu item, SAVE TO MEMORY CARD, is currently selected. With
SAVE TO
MEMORY CARD selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 530 to
the fifth
screen 534.
[00125] The fifth screen 534 depicts a SELECT SOURCE menu. As shown in
534,
the SELECT SOURCE menu may include four menu items and bold highlighting may
indicate that the first menu item, DRIVE 1, is currently selected. With DRIVE
1 selected, a
"select" activation may select a storage area designated for a programmable
parameter set
named DRIVE 1 as the source location of a programmable parameter set from the
local
storage device. Additionally, the "select" activation may advance the sequence
530 to the
sixth screen 536.
[00126] The sixth screen 536 depicts an exemplary SAVE TO MEMORY CARD
screen. As shown in 536, the SAVE TO MEMORY CAM) screen may include three menu
items and bold highlighting may indicate that the third menu item, START, is
currently
selected. The first and second menu items may include fields that are used to
identify the
programmable parameter set to be saved as a library parameter set. For
example, a GROUP
menu item may include a [FOLDER NAME] field that may identify a folder on the
portable
storage medium within which the library parameter set will be saved.
Additionally, a NAME
menu item may include a [LIBRARY NAME] field that may identify a physical or
logical
name (e.g., library 1 parameter set) associated with the library parameter set
to be saved. The
[FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME] fields, for example, may be filled by
browsing a
pull-down list using a navigation control and selecting a desired item.
Alternatively, any
suitable technique for filling the [FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME] fields may
be
implemented. Once the [FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME] fields are filled, with
START selected, a "select" activation will initiate reading the selected
programmable
parameter set from the local storage device at storage locations associated
with the selected
source (i.e., DRIVE 1) and saving it to the portable storage medium as a
library parameter set
at storage locations associated with the [FOLDER NAME] and [LIBRARY NAME]
fields.
[00127] With reference to FIG. 25, an exemplary sequence of display
screens 540 on
an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair for communicating a
group of
programmable parameter sets from a local storage device associated with the
power driven
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wheelchair to a portable storage medium begins with the first two screens
(502, 504) of FIG.
22. The third screen 542 depicts an exemplary MEMORY CARD menu. As shown in
542,
bold highlighting may indicate that the second menu item, SYSTEM, is currently
selected.
With SYSTEM selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 540 to
the fourth
screen 544.
[00128] The fourth screen 544 depicts an exemplary SYSTEM menu. As shown
in
544, the SYSTEM menu may include two menu items and bold highlighting may
indicate
that the first menu item, SAVE TO MEMORY CARD, is currently selected. With
SAVE TO
MEMORY CARD selected, a "select" activation may advance the sequence 540 to
the fifth
screen 546.
[00129] The fifth screen 546 depicts an exemplary SAVE TO MEMORY CARD
screen. As shown in 546, the SAVE TO MEMORY CARD screen may include two menu
items and bold highlighting may indicate that the second menu item, START, is
currently
selected. The first menu item may include a field that is used to identify
where a group of
library parameter sets are to be saved. For example, a GROUP menu item may
include a
[FOLDER NAME] field that may identify a folder on the portable storage medium
within
which the group of programmable parameter sets are to be saved. The [FOLDER
NAME]
field, for example, may be filled by browsing a pull-down list using a
navigation control and
selecting a desired item. Alternatively, any suitable technique for filling
the [FOLDER
NAME] field may be implemented. Once the [FOLDER NAME] field is filled, with
START
selected, a "select" activation will initiate reading a group of programmable
parameter sets
from the local storage device at storage locations designated for programmable
parameter sets
and saving the group to the portable storage medium as library parameter sets
at storage
locations associated with the [FOLDER NAME].
[00130] With reference to FIGS. 22 and 24, similar exemplary sequences of
display
screens on an apparatus associated with a power driven wheelchair may be
associated with
selection of the third menu item, SEATING CONTROL, in the MEMORY CARD menu
506.
With selection of SEATING CONTROL, the parameters being read from the portable
storage
medium or saved to the portable storage medium may be associated with control
of powered
seating functions or powered front rigging functions. Accordingly, with
selection of DRIVE
PROGRAM, the parameters being read from the portable storage medium or saved
to the
portable storage medium may be associated with control of powered driving
functions and
other non-seating control functions. However, in another embodiment,
parameters for
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powered driving functions, powered seating functions, and powered front
rigging functions
may be included when the DRIVE PROGRAM is selected.
[00131]
With reference to FIG. 26, a block diagram 600 depicts an apparatus 602
associated with a power driven wheelchair 604 for setting or modifying a
programmable
parameter. As shown, the apparatus 602 may include a user interface device 606
and a first
storage device 608. The user interface device may be associated with the power
driven
wheelchair 604 and may be adapted to operate in a programming mode. The first
storage
device 608 may be in operative communication with the user interface device
606. At least a
portion of the first storage device 608 may be designated for storage of a
programmable
operating parameter 610. The programmable operating parameter 610 may be
associated
with operation of the power driven wheelchair 604. The user interface device
606 may be
used to select the programmable operating parameter 610, select a value for
the
programmable operating parameter 610, and save the selected value for the
programmable
operating parameter 610 in the portion of the first storage device 608.
[00132] In
one embodiment, the user interface device 606 may be separate from the
power driven wheelchair 604, like the programmer 60 (FIG. 5) described above.
In another
embodiment, as shown by the dotted line, the user interface device 606 may be
part of the
power driven wheelchair 604, like the system controller 32 (FIG. 4) described
above.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, the user interface device 606 and the first
storage device
608 may form at least a portion of a system controller 32 (FIG. 4) associated
with the power
driven wheelchair 604. In this embodiment, at least one of an on-board storage
device 70
(FIG. 4) and an on-chip storage device 82 (FIG. 4) may form at least a portion
of the first
storage device 608.
[00133] In
another embodiment, the user interface device 606 may form at least a
portion of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven
wheelchair 604 and the
first storage device 608 may form at least a portion of a system controller 32
(FIG. 4)
associated with the power driven wheelchair 604. In this embodiment, the
programmer may
be in operative communication with the system controller. Additionally, at
least one of an
on-board storage device 70 (FIG. 4) and an on-chip storage device 82 (FIG. 4)
may form at
least a portion of the first storage device 608. The
various aspects of FIG. 26 described
above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented
through
hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[00134]
With reference to FIG. 27, a process 620 associated with a power driven
wheelchair for setting or modifying a programmable parameter may begin at 622.
At 624, a
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user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair may be
operated in a
programming mode. Next, a programmable operating parameter associated with
operation of
the power driven wheelchair may be selected using the user interface device
(626). At 628, a
value for the programmable operating parameter may be selected using the user
interface
device. Next, the selected value for the programmable operating parameter may
be saved in a
portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using
the user
interface device (630). From 630, the selecting and saving in 626, 628, and
630, respectively,
may be repeated.
[00135] In another embodiment, the user interface device and the storage
device may
form at least a portion of a system controller 32 (FIG. 4) associated with the
power driven
wheelchair. In still another embodiment, the user interface device may form at
least a portion
of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven wheelchair and
the storage
device may form at least a portion of a system controller associated with the
power driven
wheelchair. In this embodiment, the programmer may be in operative
communication with
the system controller. In yet another embodiment, the programmable operating
parameter
may be a range parameter with selectable parameter values within a range
defined by a lower
parameter limit and an upper parameter limit. In this embodiment, the
selectable parameter
values for the range parameter are further defined by predetermined increments
between a
next higher parameter value or a next lower parameter value for a currently
selected
parameter value. In still another embodiment, the programmable operating
parameter may be
a choice parameter with a plurality of selectable parameter values. The
various aspects of
FIG. 27 described above may be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be
implemented through hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof.
[00136] With reference to FIG. 28, a block diagram 640 depicts an
apparatus 642
associated with a power driven wheelchair 644 for communicating a programmable
parameter set. As shown, the apparatus 642 may include a user interface device
646, a
portable storage medium 648, and a local storage device 650. The user
interface device 646
may be associated with the power driven wheelchair 644 and may be adapted to
operate in a
programming mode. The portable storage medium 648 may be in operative
communication
with the user interface device 646 with at least a portion 652 designated for
storage of one or
more programmable parameter sets 654 associated with operation of the power
driven
wheelchair 644. The local storage device 650 may be in operative communication
with the
user interface device 646 with at least a portion 656 designated for storage
of one or more
programmable parameter sets 658 associated with operation of the power driven
wheelchair
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644. The user interface device 646 may be used to select one or more
programmable
parameter sets 654 from the portable storage medium 648 and save said selected
programmable parameter sets 654 to the local storage device 650 or vice versa.
[00137] In another embodiment, the user interface device 646 and the local
storage
device 650 may form at least a portion of a system controller 32 (FIG. 4)
associated with the
power driven wheelchair 644. The system controller 32 (FIG. 4) may include a
storage
medium interface 72 (FIG. 4) adapted to receive the portable storage medium
648 and
facilitate operative communication between the user interface device 646 and
the portable
storage medium 648.
[00138] In still another embodiment, the user interface device 646 may
form at least a
portion of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven
wheelchair 644 and the
local storage device 650 may form at least a portion of a system controller 32
(FIG. 4)
associated with the power driven wheelchair 644. The programmer 60 (FIG. 5)
may be in
operative communication with the system controller 32 (FIG. 4). The system
controller 32
(FIG. 4) may include a storage medium interface 72 (FIG. 4) adapted to receive
the portable
storage medium 648 and facilitate operative communication between the user
interface
device 646 and the portable storage medium 648.
[00139] In yet another embodiment, the user interface device 646 may form
at least a
portion of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven
wheelchair 644 and the
local storage device 650 may form at least a portion of a system controller 32
(FIG. 4)
associated with the power driven wheelchair 644. The programmer 60 (FIG. 5)
may be in
operative communication with the system controller 32 (FIG. 4). The programmer
60 (FIG.
5) may include a storage medium interface 98 (FIG. 5) adapted to receive the
portable storage
medium 648 and facilitate operative communication between the user interface
device 646
and the portable storage medium 648. The various aspects of FIG. 28 described
above may
be automated, semi-automated, or manual and may be implemented through
hardware,
software, fillaware, or combinations thereof.
[00140] With reference to FIG. 29, a process 670 associated with a power
driven
wheelchair for communicating a programmable parameter set may start at 672. At
674, a
user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair may be
operated in a
programming mode. Next, at least one programmable parameter set associated
with the
power driven wheelchair may be selected using the user interface device (676).
At 678, each
selected programmable parameter set may be communicated from a portable
storage medium
associated with the power driven wheelchair to a local storage device
associated with the
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power driven wheelchair or vice versa using the user interface device. In this
embodiment,
the portable storage device may include at least a portion designated for
storage of one or
more programmable parameter sets and the local storage device may include at
least a portion
designated for storage of one or more programmable parameter sets. From 678,
the selecting
and communicating in 676 and 678, respectively, may be repeated.
[00141] In another embodiment, the user interface device and the local
storage device
may foini at least a portion of a system controller 32 (FIG. 4) associated
with the power
driven wheelchair. In this embodiment, the system controller 32 (FIG. 4) may
include a
storage medium interface 72 (FIG. 4) adapted to receive the portable storage
medium and
facilitate operative communication between the user interface device and the
portable storage
medium.
[00142] In still another embodiment, the user interface device may form at
least a
portion of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven
wheelchair and the
local storage device may form at least a portion of a system controller 32
(FIG. 4) associated
with the power driven wheelchair. In this embodiment, the programmer 60 (FIG.
5) may be
in operative communication with the system controller 32 (FIG. 4). The system
controller 32
(FIG. 4) may include a storage medium interface 72 (FIG. 4) adapted to receive
the portable
storage medium and facilitate operative communication between the user
interface device and
the portable storage medium.
[00143] In yet another embodiment, the user interface device may form at
least a
portion of a programmer 60 (FIG. 5) associated with the power driven
wheelchair and the
local storage device may form at least a portion of a system controller 32
(FIG. 4) associated
with the power driven wheelchair. In this embodiment, the programmer 60 (FIG.
5) may be
in operative communication with the system controller 32 (FIG. 4). The
programmer 60
(FIG. 5) may include a storage medium interface 98 (FIG. 5) adapted to receive
the portable
storage medium and facilitate operative communication between the user
interface device and
the portable storage medium.
[00144] In another embodiment, the programmable parameter sets may include
programmable operating parameters associated with driving the power driven
wheelchair. In
another embodiment, the programmable parameter sets may include programmable
operating
parameters associated with operating powered seating for the power driven
wheelchair. In
still another embodiment, the programmable parameter sets may include
programmable
operating parameters associated with operating powered front rigging for the
power driven
wheelchair.
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[00145] In yet another embodiment, the selecting in 676 may include
selecting all
programmable parameter sets stored on the local storage device and the
communicating in
678 may include communicating said selected programmable parameter sets from
the local
storage device to the portable storage medium. In another embodiment, the
selecting in 676
may include selecting all programmable parameter sets stored within a select
folder on the
portable storage medium and the communicating in 678 may include communicating
said
selected programmable parameter sets from the portable storage medium to the
local storage
device. The various aspects of FIG. 29 described above may be automated, semi-
automated,
or manual and may be implemented through hardware, software, firmware, or
combinations
thereof.
[00146] While the invention is described herein in conjunction with one or
more
exemplary embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications,
and variations
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary
embodiments in the
preceding description are intended to be illustrative, rather than limiting,
of the spirit and
scope of the invention. More specifically, it is intended that the invention
embrace all
alternatives, modifications, and variations of the exemplary embodiments
described herein.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set
forth in the
description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with
the description
as a whole. Any
element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a
specified function,
or "step for" performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a
"means" or "step"
clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112, If 6. In particular, the use of "step
of' in the claims
herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, 6.
39
